Agricultural combine with internal cob de-husking apparatus and system

ABSTRACT

The combine includes internal apparatus incorporated into a system for threshing corn kernels from cobs, positively de-husking the cobs, cleaning other crop residue or material from the kernels, and direct the cleaned kernels and de-husked cobs to desired locations. The de-husking apparatus can include a modified type of husking bed, and is disposed for receiving a flow of grain, cobs and other residue from threshing apparatus of the combine, and positively grasping and pulling the remaining husks from the cobs and downwardly through the husking bed for disposal such as by discharge from the combine onto a field, with or separately from the other residue.

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/148,725, filed Apr. 22, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,749,055and also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.No. 61/194,153, filed Sep. 25, 2008.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to an agricultural combine including acob de-husking capability, and more particularly, to a combine adaptedfor harvesting corn, which incorporates internal, positive cobde-husking apparatus in a system for de-husking cobs from which the cornhas been harvested, and separating or cleaning the cobs from the husksand other stover such as leaves, stalks, and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/148,725, filed Apr. 22,2008, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/194,153, filed Sep. 25,2008, are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.

Presently, there is an increased demand for corn cobs as a feedstock forcellulosic ethanol, as well as other uses. As a result, there isheightened interest in collecting corn cobs during corn harvest. Thereis also concern by some that cob collection may reduce soil nutrientcontent. In this regard, crop residue or stover, e.g., corn stalks,leaves, husks and cobs, are traditionally left on the field afterharvest, and break down over time to replenish soil nutrients. If acomponent of the stover, e.g., cobs is instead collected, nutrientlevels could be lowered as a result. To mitigate this concern, someconsider it desirable when collecting cobs, to collect only the cobs,that is, clean cobs with substantially all residual husks, leaves andstalks removed, and return the other stover to the field. Thus, it wouldbe desirable to have a means adapted for operation in connection with acorn harvester, which incorporates an ability to separate or clean thecobs from the other stover, remove husks and the like attached to thecobs, and return the other stover to the field or another location. Itis also desirable for the collected cobs to be as compactable aspossible, e.g., without attached husks and the like, so as to maximizethe amount of cobs that subsequent containers can hold. Still further,for some techniques for producing ethanol from corn cobs, the presenceof other stover, e.g., husks and the like, is undesired, and for a loadof cobs of a given volume, the amount of compensation paid will bereduced if significant stover is present.

Numerous apparatus have been proposed for cleaning or separating cobsfrom the other stover. To illustrate, prior to the early 1960's, thecommon corn harvesting practice involved picking the ears of corn in thefield, removing husks from the ears, and transporting the ears stillcontaining the corn kernels to a corn crib, and later shelling the cornoff of the cobs at a stationary sheller. During these earlier times,when corn was picked, de-husked and stored with the kernels of corn onthe cob, many of the pickers used husking beds to remove the husk fromthe ear of corn. This was a trait that was desired as one did not wantto fill the storage area for the corn, e.g., crib, with material thathad no use, e.g., husks. The husking bed then was nothing more than aseries of rollers that grabbed the husk and pulled it down through a gapin the bed. The husk would then fall to the ground as the pickercontinued to harvest the ears of corn.

This harvesting procedure has been almost entirely replaced by modernself-propelled combine type harvesters, which separate and collect thecorn kernels, and discharge the cobs and other stover onto the field,and which are now the industry standard.

As a more recent advancement, several of such known devices havevariously utilized a towed cart or wagon for receiving and holding thecobs, and a conveyor system for cleaning the other stover from the cobsand conveying the cobs from the combine to the cart or wagon. Othersseparate the cobs from at least some of the other stover within thecombine. Reference in the former regard, Flamme U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,768,issued Aug. 24, 1999, which discloses a cob collection unit pulledbehind a combine to collect on a first conveyor all the residuedischarged from the combine, with a separation unit behind the conveyorincluding a second conveyor, and utilizing a fan to suck the stover fromthe cobs as they are released from the top of the second conveyor and toblow the stover back onto the field. Redekop et al. U.S. PatentPublication Nos. 20090095662 published Apr. 16, 2009; 20090104952published Apr. 23, 2009; and 20090124309 published May 14, 2009,disclose a pulled cob collection unit, which utilizes a sequentialseries of inclined belt conveyors, and blower or suction fans fordirecting air through the discharged material as it falls from the upperend of one conveyor onto a lower end of the next conveyor, such that theheavier cobs are to continue to the next conveyor and the lighter stoveror residue will be carried away by the air flow, with the cobs beingconveyed into a collection tank by a further conveyor or conveyors.

Reference in the latter regard, Stukenholtz U.S. Pat. No. 6,358,141issued Mar. 19, 2002, and Redekop et al. U.S. Patent Publication No.20090137295, which disclose cob collection systems on a combine whichutilize on-board bins and cob separation using modified straw walkersand sieves within the combine itself.

A shortcomings variously of the known cob separating or cleaning devicesand systems, is a lack of a capability for reliably and positivelyremoving husks and/or leaves, or fragments thereof, which still remainattached to the cobs after processing of the cobs through the systems ofthe combine, including gathering of the corn plants and separation ofthe corn ears from the stalks by the header, conveying through thefeeder, agitation and separation of the kernels from the cobs by thethreshing mechanism, and post-threshing handling, including in somecases passage through sieves and other systems designed for separatingthe cobs from the other residue or stover. As noted above, such attachedhusks and the like are disadvantageous as they increase the volume ofthe collected cobs, and reduce the ease of conveyance and compactabilitythereof, such that for a given volume of collected cobs, an undesirableportion of the volume can comprise the husks and the like which can havea lower energy content compared to the cobs alone, and create openspaces or interstices between the collected cobs, which factors cancombine to reduce the value of a given volume of the collected cobs.

Thus, what is sought is apparatus and/or system for operation within aharvester, which provides one or more capabilities of positivelyseparating or detaching attached husks from the cobs and separating thecobs from stover, maximizing cob density for storage, and whichovercomes one or more of the disadvantages, set forth above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

What is disclosed is apparatus incorporated into a system within acombine harvester, which provides one or more capabilities of positivelyseparating or detaching attached husks from cobs flowing from athreshing system of the combine, and separating the cobs from the otherstover, thus maximizing cob density for storage, and which overcomes oneor more of the disadvantages, set forth above.

Generally, a combine is used to process material that is referred to asMOG (material other than grain). In normal operation of a combine, thecrop is gathered into the combine by driving the machine through a fieldwith a head of the combine. The head places the crop into the combine.From there, it is processed, e.g., by the threshing and cleaning systemsof the combine, and the MOG is discharged from the rear of the combine.As noted above, this MOG has normally not been desirable to save whenharvesting the crop. However, as noted above, with the demand for fuelfrom grain, there has now become a desire or need to save more of thematerial other than the grain.

According to a preferred aspect of the invention, apparatus isconfigured and disposed within the combine to accept and positivelyde-husk cobs from which the corn kernels have been harvested. Thisapparatus preferably comprises a modified type of husking bed disposedfor receiving a flow of grain, cobs and other stover, from the threshingsystem. With the modifications, the elements or husking rolls of thehusking bed are operable for positively grasping and pulling theremaining husks from the cobs and downwardly through the husking bed.Corn also passes through the husking bed. Without the modifications, itwas found that the husking elements would pull the cobs down through thehusking bed as well, which is not desired. This is because the cob ismuch smaller than an ear of corn with which conventional husking bedsare designed for use, as a result of which cobs can pass through aconventional husking bed.

With this invention, one can understand that, in contrast with pastpractices, removing the husks from ears of corn is not being attempted.Here, the corn has been processed by the threshing element or system ofthe combine, to remove the kernels from the cobs. Once the corn has beenthreshed, it (the kernels) will drop along a path from the threshingsystem to the cleaning system, and be processed and stored on themachine. This path can include all or part of the husking bed.

According to a preferred aspect of the invention, cobs and other MOG aredischarged from the threshing system in a normal manner, e.g.,rearwardly therefrom, separately from the corn. In another preferredaspect of the invention, a grate or grates of a concave of the threshingsystem is/are specially modified to allow passage of whole cobstherethrough. These aspects of the invention can be used together, or inthe alternative. In both instances, the threshed cobs are fed in astream onto the internal de-husking apparatus, instead of directedoutwardly from the combine. The corn cleaned by the cleaning systemtypically remains on the machine until it requires being dumped in atransport vehicle and goes to its long term storage location. The cobsare then separated from the other MOG, and the other MOG is thentransported rearward through the combine and typically spread over theground.

According to another preferred aspect of the invention, the de-huskingapparatus e.g., husking bed, is positioned such that the MOG is placedonto the husking bed, and the husking bed transports it rearwardly. Atthe same time that the husking bed is used to transport the MOGrearward, the MOG is being separated into two different classes—the cobsand the remaining MOG. As noted above, there is some value to theremaining MOG for fuel source, but it is low. This remaining MOG has afar better value as a fertilizer and a cover to prevent erosion.

Further according to the invention, the de-husking apparatus isconfigured to pull the husks from the cobs (what is left after the cornkernels were removed) as they are transported rearward thereon. Thehusks are then dropped down through the de-husking apparatus onto thecleaning system. The cleaning system will continue to separate the cornand the husks. The husk will then be carried out the back of the machineand be spread over the ground. The remaining cobs will be moved rearwardon top of the de-husking apparatus and be saved and placed in a storagetank or other container, on the machine or towed thereby, until the timethat the cobs need to be unloaded and transported to a long term storagelocation.

This invention has some notable advantages over some of the otherconcepts that have been tried by others. It is a very cost effectivemeans of doing a simple job of removing husks from cobs. The totalweight of the apparatus for accomplishing this compared to otherdevices, such as carts presently commercially available under the tradename Cob Caddy, is far less. As another advantage, the cob de-huskingapparatus may be left in the machine at all times. The de-huskingapparatus also does not change the overall size of the machine. It willnot adversely affect the performance of the machine in other crops. Asanother advantage, it has been found that, after the corn has beenshelled from the cobs, the husks are easier for the de-husking apparatusto grab. With the husks much more open than when on an ear of corn, ithas also been found that we now will be able to remove far more or theremaining husks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified side view of an agricultural combineincorporating an internal de-husking apparatus in a system forde-husking and separating cobs from harvested corn and MOG, according tothe invention;

FIG. 2 is a simplified side view (in dotted lines) of the rear end ofthe combine of FIG. 1, shown towing a representative cob cart;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the combine (in dotted lines), showingde-husking apparatus, a threshing system, and a cleaning system of thede-husking and separating system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a simplified schematic side view showing aspects of oneembodiment of the threshing system, de-husking apparatus, and cleaningsystem of the combine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a simplified schematic side view showing aspects of thethreshing system, alternative de-husking apparatus, and the cleaningsystem, in association with an optional spreader incorporated into arear end of the combine;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary top view showing aspects of the de-huskingapparatus of the invention;

FIG. 6A is an end view of the de-husking apparatus, showing operationthereof;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary schematic side view of the threshing system,husking bed and cleaning system, illustrating operation thereof forthreshing, de-husking cobs, and cleaning corn from MOG;

FIG. 8 is another fragmentary schematic side view, showing thede-husking apparatus and cleaning system in operation for de-huskingcobs and cleaning corn;

FIG. 9 is a simplified schematic side view of the de-husking and cobseparating system of the invention, including alternative concavegrates;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the grates of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is another simplified schematic side view of the system of FIG.9, showing operation thereof; and

FIG. 12 is a rear view showing the internal de-husking apparatus inassociation with optional guide apparatus of the threshing system forconveying cobs and other crop residue to the de-husking apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now the drawings, in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a representativeagricultural harvesting machine 20 is shown, which is a combineconstructed and operable in the well known manner for harvesting wholeears of corn from corn plants as the combine travels over a field.Combine 20 is shown including a header 22 that gathers and conveys theears of corn into a threshing system 24 within the combine which is partof a system 26 of the invention for threshing kernels of corn from cobsof the ears, de-husking the cobs, cleaning other crop residue from thekernels and optionally the cobs, and separately directing the kernelsand the cobs to respective destinations. FIG. 2 shows a representativecob collection device 28, which is a cart connected in towed relation tomachine 20 and configured for conveying cobs away from machine 20 andholding them.

Referring also to FIGS. 4, 5 and 7, threshing system 24 shown isrepresentative of a wide variety of threshing apparatus that can be usedin system 26 of the invention, and includes at least one generallycylindrical housing 30 containing a cylindrical rotor 32 which isconfigured (including threshing elements 34 thereabout asrepresentatively illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 12) and rotated withinhousing 30, for forming the incoming crop material, e.g., ears of corn,crop residue or stover, etc., into a mat within a gap between housing 30and rotor 32, and which mat is moved in a helical manner through thegap, in the well known manner (not shown).

Housing 30 includes a lower semi-cylindrical concave 36 comprised ofelements, e.g., wires and/or bars defining openings therebetween, alongand against which the crop material mat is moved by the rotation ofrotor 32, for threshing the grain, e.g., corn kernels from the cobs. Asa result, a flow of the grain, e.g., kernels, and other smaller elementsof the crop material, collectively denoted by arrows 38 in FIGS. 4, 5and 7, will then pass through concave 36 and fall downwardly within aninternal cavity or chamber 40 of machine 20 which contains threshingsystem 24, and also a cleaning system 42 located therebelow.

Generally, as the crop material mat progresses along threshing system24, less grain will be present in the mat, and the material that flowsthrough concave 36 toward an outlet end thereof will consist more ofstover or crop material other than grain (MOG) as denoted by arrows 46in FIGS. 4 and 7. Also generally, a typical concave 36 will have largerapertures 48 toward outlet end 44, such that MOG flow 46 throughapertures 48 will typically contain larger elements of MOG. In thisregard, the aperture size can be smaller than the larger whole cobscontained in the MOG, such that flow 46 will contain only cob fragments,smaller cobs and other smaller MOG. Alternatively, larger apertures,such as illustrated by apertures in the form of slots 50 in FIGS. 9, 10and 11, can be sufficiently large to allow larger whole cobs, and agreater overall number of cobs therethrough, as will be explained. Ineither instance, the MOG that does not pass through the concave, e.g,larger elements of MOG, such as stalk fragments, leaves, husks andremaining cobs, will be discharged from outlet end 44 of the threshingsystem, as a flow denoted by arrows 52, flow 52 preferably beingfacilitated by suitable apparatus, such as a rotary beater 54, rotatableas denoted by arrow 56, a deflector, guides, or the like (not shown). Anoptional concave pan or flow guide 58, can be disposed beneath beater54, for containing and guiding MOG flow 52, as will be explained.

Cleaning system 42 of combine 20 is operable in the conventional mannerto separate the cobs and other larger elements of the corn residue orstover from the kernels of corn and smaller elements of residue, and theclean corn is collected and conveyed into a clean grain tank 60 oncombine 20, or other receiver. The clean corn is then unloaded from tank60 using an unloader conveyor 62 in the conventional manner, by swingingconveyor 62 to a sidewardly extending position (not shown—conveyor 62being illustrated in a stowed or travel position here).

On larger combines such as shown, cleaning system 42 typicallyessentially comprises a rearwardly extending platform within chamber 40,including a grain pan 64 beneath a more forward portion of threshingsystem 34, in position for receiving all or a substantial portion offlow 38 comprising mostly grain as discussed above. Pan 64 is configuredand will be reciprocatingly moved in a fore and aft direction in thewell known manner, for moving the grain rearwardly, as depicted by arrow66 in FIGS. 4 and 5, and onto a forward section 68 of an upper sieve 70of cleaning system 42. Forward section 68, and the rest of sieve 70 willalso be reciprocatingly moved in a fore and aft direction in the wellknown manner, and will have apertures therethrough sized to allow thegrain of flow 66, e.g., corn kernels, to fall therethrough, but notlarger items, such that larger, heavier MOG, denoted by arrow 66A, willbe moved rearwardly on sieve 70 toward a rear end thereof, as will beexplained.

Cleaning system 42 includes a fan 72 operable for directing a flow ofair, denoted by arrows A, upwardly and rearwardly through elements ofthat system including sieve 70, to lift and carry away lighter elementsof MOG mixed with or contained in flow 66A or otherwise disposed on orabove sieve 70. Typically, these lighter elements of MOG will bedirected outwardly from internal chamber 40, either to fall onto theground, or into a spreader 74 located on the rear of machine 20, asillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, so as to be spread over the ground therebyin the well known manner.

Cleaning system 42 additionally includes a lower sieve 76 disposedbeneath upper sieve 70 in position for receiving the grain and smallerelements of MOG. Sieve 76 is also reciprocatingly moved fore and aft,and air flow A will also pass through sieve 76 to remove the lighterelements of the MOG, and the heavier elements will be carried toward therear end of the sieve, also in the well known manner, as denoted byarrow 78, for passage to a tailings system of machine 20. The grain thatis allowed to pass through lower sieve 76 will be collected and directedto tank 60, in the well known manner.

As discussed above, it has become desirable to separate cobs and collectfrom the other MOG or stover, for a variety of reasons. But, as alsodiscussed, in many instances, even after processing by threshing system24, a substantial portion of the cobs will still have husks attachedthereto, which is undesirable for a variety of reasons. Therefore,system 26 of the invention incorporates apparatus 78 configured anddisposed within chamber 40, for positively de-husking the cobsdischarged from threshing system 24. In this regard, apparatus 78preferably comprises a modified type of husking bed that is disposed forreceiving all, or a substantial portion of the cobs discharged fromthreshing system 24, whether contained in flow of MOG 46 which passesthrough apertures 48 of concave 36, or flow 52 discharged from outletend of system 24. Here, in FIGS. 1 and 4, apparatus 78 is shownextending forwardly beneath about that portion of concave 36 containinglarger apertures 48, so as to essentially be positioned for receivingall of the MOG flow 46, while in FIG. 5, apparatus 78 extends forwardlyonly partially beneath that region of the concave and will receive onlya corresponding portion of MOG flow 46. In both instances, however,apparatus 78 is positioned beneath that region of threshing system 24from which cobs are discharged, particularly outlet end 44, so as to becapable of receiving MOG flow 52 which will contain a significant numberof the cobs. In this latter regard, in the absence of beater 54, MOGflow 52 can just fall onto apparatus 78, and if beater 54 is provided,it can be operated in a manner for directing MOG flow 52 onto andrearwardly along apparatus 78. Alternatively, beater 54 and flow guide58 could be configurable and operable for propelling flow 56 rearwardlyover apparatus 78, for instance, when harvesting a crop other than corn,or if threshing system is alternatively configured for delivering thecobs to apparatus in another manner, e.g., via a concave having largerapertures such as larger slots 50 (FIGS. 9, 10 and 11).

Referring also to FIGS. 6, 6A and 8, apparatus 78 essentially comprisesa generally flat upwardly facing surface 80 comprising a side-by-sidearray of elongate husking rolls 82 supported by as suitable framework84, e.g., cross members across chamber 40, or other structure on machine20 within chamber 40, for rotation about longitudinal axes 86 throughthe respective rolls 82. Selected adjacent sets of husking rolls 82bound longitudinally extending gaps 88 therebetween (FIGS. 6 and 6A),gaps 88 being sufficiently large for receiving husks 90 and smallerelements of crop residue as well as kernels therein, but not cobs 92.The array of husking rolls 82 will have a number of sets of rolls 82 toprovide an overall width corresponding to the width of that portion ofchamber 40 of machine 20 containing apparatus 78. And, if cleaningsystem 42 is configured in the well known manner to be self leveling,apparatus 78 can optionally be configured to be self leveling also.

The husking rolls 82 are connected to a drive 94 which can include, forinstance, a fluid or electric motor 96, connected in driving relation toa drive train including a cross shaft 98 carrying bevel gears 100enmeshed with bevel gears 102 on shafts 104 extending between elementsof framework 84 and supporting the respective husking rolls 82, suchthat the individual rolls 82 of the sets will be counter rotated, asdenoted by arrows X and Y in FIGS. 6 and 6A. Alternatively, a chain,belt or other drive could be used for counter rotating rolls 82, asdesired or required for a particular application.

Husking rolls 82 preferably include husking elements 106 on the outersurfaces thereof, as best shown in FIG. 6, configured for operation incooperation with the adjacent rolls 82, for mechanically grasping anddetaching attached husks 90 from cobs 92 as husking rolls 82 are rotatedin contact with the cobs. It is contemplated that husking elements 106can have a variety of configurations, e.g., shapes and features, forgrasping and pulling husks 90 from cobs 92, husking elements 106 on someof rolls 82 preferably being configured as longitudinally extendinghelical concave regions 76 on the outer surfaces of rolls 68, bounded bylongitudinally extending, raised helical edges 108, while others of theelements 106 on opposing ones of rolls 82 are preferably configured asannular serrations 110 about the rolls, the opposing husking elementsbeing adapted to cooperatively operate for grasping husks 90 and rapidlypulling them from cobs 92, and downwardly into and through gaps 88,along with any loose residue and corn kernels, as the rolls are rotated.In operation, air flow A through and over upper sieve 70 will flow in arearward direction through the region of chamber 40 below rolls 82, andwill operate to carry most of the husks 90 airborne rearwardly withininternal chamber 40, either so as to be inducted into and spread byoptional spreader 74, or discharged directly onto the ground with theother light MOG (also referred to as chaff). Any kernels, because oftheir greater weight, will fall onto sieve 70, and pass therethrough tolower sieve 76.

The rotation of rolls 82 and husking elements 106 preferably alsocooperate so as to act to convey cobs 92 rapidly along surface 80, asillustrated by arrows 112, or additional conveyance apparatus (notshown), such as wheels, belts or the like which can be incorporated intosurface 80 or disposed thereabove for this purpose. As noted above, itshould be understood that unlike conventional husking bed applicationswherein husks are removed from ears of corn prior to removal of the cornkernels from the cobs, and wherein the ears are conveyed in orderly endto end relation along the husking rolls, here, the corn kernels havealready been removed from the cobs and the cobs with remaining attachedhusks can comprise whole cobs, and/or cob fragments of various sizes,and, individually, will be substantially lighter in weight compared towhole ears of corn. Additionally, as a result of prior processing bymachine 20, husks 90 which remain attached to cobs 92 will be orientedin a variety of ways relative to the cobs, including extendingsidewardly, backwards, etc., and the husks will likely be tough and/orresilient, stringy, and otherwise hard to detach. Flow of cobs denotedby arrows 112 can also contain a wide variety of other loose residue andwill not likely comprise an orderly end-to-end procession of ears. As aresult, husking rolls 82 and associated husking elements 106 aredesirably configured to grasp and detach husks 90 from cobs 92, while ina state of agitation, e.g., tumbling and rolling along surface 80 in avariety of orientations, essentially as illustrated in various of theFIGS.

As another feature of apparatus 78, husking rolls 82 terminate alongrespective shafts 104 in spaced relation to drive 94, such that largergaps 114 (FIG. 6) exist between the adjacent rolls 82 adjacent to and infront of drive 94. This is advantageous, as cobs 92 conveyed by, orotherwise moved along rolls 82 as denoted by arrows 112 will fallthrough gaps 114. Alternatively, apparatus 78 could be configured in asuitable manner (not shown) without gaps 114, to allow the de-huskedcobs to fall over the rear end of rolls 82 or framework 84, if desired.Gaps 114 are preferably located above a rear end of upper sieve 70 ofcleaning system 42, which is fitted with openings 116 sufficiently largefor passage of whole cobs 92 and cob fragments therethrough. Thus, theflow of de-husked cobs 92 will pass downwardly through the rearwardlydirected flow of husks carried by air flow A, and drop onto the rear endof upper sieve 70 directly into or in proximity of openings 116, so asto pass through those openings. Larger elements of MOG contained in flow66A (which should mainly comprise cobs) carried rearwardly along sieve70, if appropriately sized, will also pass through openings 116. Otherlarger elements of MOG (leaves, stalk fragments) which is directed ontosieve 70 will pass over openings 116 and fall off the end of the sieve.Similar elements of MOG carried to the rear of apparatus 78 and toolarge to pass through gaps 114 will fall over the rear of thatapparatus.

System 26 of the invention can include a variety of apparatus forreceiving or handling the de-husked cobs 92 that pass through openings116, preferably integrated into a platform with cleaning system 42.Here, as an example a cob conveyor 118 is located below openings 116 ofupper sieve 70. As one alternative, conveyor 118 can be a helical augertype conveyor, having opposite hand flights 120 on opposite sides of acenter region 122 (FIG. 3), so as to be operable for conveying thede-husked cobs 92 to the center region 122. A pan or chute 124 can beprovided extending downwardly from center region 122 (FIG. 1), also aspart of a cleaning system platform, for flow of the de-husked cobs frommachine 20 and onto a conveyor of cob collection device 28.Alternatively, conveyor 118 can be configured for conveying thede-husked cobs to one side, to an elevator and/or other conveyor (notshown) configured and operable for carrying the cobs to a desiredlocation, such as, but not limited to, an on-board tank, towed cart, orother suitable collection device. As still another alternative, aconveyor, hopper or chute could be disposed beneath gaps 114 ofapparatus 78 for directing or carrying the de-husked cobs away.

Briefly addressing cob collection device 28 depicted in FIG. 2, thatdevice can include one or more conveyors 126 configured and operable forconveying a flow of the de-husked cobs rearwardly into a container 128,the rearmost conveyor being adjustable for this purpose, as denoted byarrow 130. Here, device 28, as noted above, is configured as a cart orwagon, and includes suitable apparatus for unloading the cobs whendesired, in the well known manner.

Referring also to FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, machine threshing system 24 ofsystem 26 of machine 20 is shown including a concave 36 havingalternative rear grates 132 including apertures in the form of slots 50which are larger and differently configured compared to apertures 48 ofthe earlier discussed threshing system, like parts being referred to bylike numerals. Threshing system 24 will operated in essentially theabove-discussed manner, with threshing elements 34 on rotor 32 formingthe crop into a crop mat that is moved in a helical manner through acylindrical gap between rotor 32 and concave 36. Again, as this occurs,the corn kernels will be threshed from the cobs and will largely fallthrough the forward portion of concave 36, through the underlying regionof internal chamber 40, onto grain pan 64, as denoted by flow 38.

At the rear end of threshing system 24, grates 132 have a plurality ofelongate slots 50 which may range in width from ½ inch to as large as 2¼inches, and most preferably about 1.25 inches in width. Slots 50 arepreferably substantially vertical or longitudinally disposed so as to beessentially vertical and are oriented in the direction in which rotor 32is rotating. Slots 50 may also be oriented down by an angle of up toabout 40° from vertical. Slots 50 run the essentially the entire heightof the grates 132. There are actually 4 separate grates 132 illustratedin FIG. 10 which come together collectively as one arcuate formcomprising the lower rear end of concave 36. There are two or more slots50 for each grate 132, two of which slots 50 are separated by alatitudinally disposed in-line row of smaller holes or slots 134. Eachgrate 132 has a row of the in-line smaller slots 134 that areperipherally in line with the direction of rotation of rotor 32. Theperipheral row of smaller slots 134 along the edges of each grate 132allow smaller MOG and some corn kernels that have made it through fromthe front of the threshing system to pass through the grates 132.

The additional alternative embodiment calling for at least one of slots50 of the grates 132 to be oriented at an angle of up to 40° fromvertical and in the direction of material flow, i.e. the direction inwhich the rotor's movement or rotation transports the material may beadvantageous in some applications. A particular row of in-line smalleropenings or slots 136 may optionally be oriented in a directionsubstantially parallel to direction of the slots 50 closest to thein-line row.

In operation, if less than the preferred width of slots 50 of about 1.25inches is employed, slots 50 will be generally too small for passage ofwhole cobs therethrough. However, it has been observed that attachedhusks will have a tendency to enter slots 50 and be sheared from thecobs by the rotation of rotor 32 relative to peripheral edges 138bounding slots 50, which is advantageous for de-husking purposes. Withslots 50 configured thusly, most of the cobs will be discharged fromthreshing system 24 as part of flow 56 from outlet end 44 and many willbe de-husked by the slotted grates 132. Alternatively, if slots 50 areof at least the preferred width of about 1.25 inches, whole cobs will beable to pass therethrough in flow 46. As an advantage of this largerslot configuration, some de-husking is likely to be effected by suchpassage, largely as a result of shearing action by contact between thehusks and peripheral edges 138 of grates 132 bounding and defining slots50. Others of the cobs not passing through the grates may also bede-husked as a function of the shearing action just discussed. Asanother advantage, flow 46 containing cobs 62, husks and cob fragmentsdischarged through slots 50 will be deposited more forwardly onapparatus 78, so as to be exposed to greater contact with and de-huskingaction of husking rolls 82 thereof, in the above described manner. Thealready detached husks will also have more exposure to husking rolls 82,so as to be more pulled through apparatus 78 and separated from thecobs, which is another advantage. Once on apparatus 78, the cobs, husksand other MOG will be processed in the above described manner.

Referring also to FIG. 12, one embodiment of a flow guide 58 is show inposition below and rearwardly of outlet end 44 of threshing system 24,below beater 58. Flow guide 58 here comprises a plurality of laterallyspaced apart, downwardly extending fingers 138, preferably arcuate inshape when viewed from the side. Flow guide 58 in this configuration isadapted for guiding MOG flow 56 downwardly onto apparatus 78, whileallowing MOG already on apparatus 78 to flow past. Fingers 138 willpreferably be offset from the gaps between the rolls, such that MOGpassing between fingers 138 will be in proximity to the gaps.

It will be understood that changes in the details, materials, steps, andarrangements of parts which have been described and illustrated toexplain the nature of the invention will occur to and may be made bythose skilled in the art upon a reading of this disclosure within theprinciples and scope of the invention. The foregoing descriptionillustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention; however,concepts, as based upon the description, may be employed in otherembodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.Accordingly, the following claims are intended to protect the inventionbroadly as well as in the specific form shown.

1. An agricultural combine, comprising: a housing having an internalchamber containing a threshing system including a concave and a rotarybeater, the threshing system configured and operable for threshingkernels of corn from cobs, discharging a flow of the kernels downwardlywithin the chamber, and discharging a flow of the cobs along a pathwithin the chamber, wherein at least some of the discharged cobs includehusks attached thereto; de-husking apparatus comprising a generallyhorizontally disposed array of husking rolls, each husking rollextending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the combine,each husking roll disposed at least partially below the concave and therotary beater and extending a substantial distance therefrom, such thatthe husking rolls are disposed in a position in the path for receivingat least a substantial portion of the flow of cobs including the husksattached thereto, each of the husking rolls bounding a husking roll gapsmaller than the cobs connecting with a region below the array, thehusking rolls being supported for rotation about an axis therethroughand connected to drive apparatus configured for drivingly rotating thehusking rolls about the axes, respectively, the husking rolls includinghusking elements thereon configured such that when the husking rolls arerotated by the drive apparatus, the elements will grasp and detach thehusks from the cobs and drive the detached husks through the huskingroll gaps into the region below the array, the husking rolls configuredsuch that the rotation thereof will move the cobs along the de-huskingapparatus toward one end thereof, and wherein the husking rolls eachhave a shaft positioned therethrough which supports each roll forrotation about the axis, the shaft connected to at least a portion ofthe drive apparatus, and wherein each husking roll terminates at an endthereof along its respective shaft and a distance from the portion ofthe drive apparatus such that large gaps are formed between ends of therolls, shafts, and the drive apparatus so that the cobs conveyed alongthe husking rolls fall through the large gaps; and a cleaning systemincluding at least one sieve disposed within the chamber below thethreshing system and the de-husking apparatus in a position forreceiving at least a portion of the flow of the kernels and separatingthe kernels from crop residue mixed therewith larger than the kernels.2. The combine of claim 1, wherein a portion of the at least one sieveis disposed in the region below the array in position for receiving thedetached husks.
 3. The combine of claim 1, wherein a portion of thecleaning system is disposed below the one end of the de-huskingapparatus and configured for carrying the cobs to a collectionapparatus.
 4. The combine of claim 3, wherein the portion of thecleaning system is configured to include a sieve section having openingstherethrough sufficiently small to prevent passage of the cobstherethrough but sufficiently large for passage of elements of cornresidue smaller than the cobs therethrough, and the sieve section beingconfigured and operable to move in a manner for carrying the cobsthereon to the collection apparatus.
 5. The combine of claim 4, whereinthe collection apparatus comprises a conveyor.
 6. The combine of claim1, wherein the threshing system includes at least one grate disposedabove the de-husking apparatus and having openings therethroughsufficiently large for passage of the cobs therethrough.
 7. The combineof claim 1, wherein the threshing system is configured and operable fordischarging the flow of the cobs mixed with other corn residue directlyonto the de-husking apparatus.
 8. The combine of claim 7, wherein thethreshing system includes a powered device configured and operable forpositively directing the flow of the cobs and the other corn residueonto the de-husking apparatus.
 9. An agricultural combine for harvestingcorn kernels from cobs, de-husking the cobs, and separating thede-husked cobs and the corn, comprising: a housing having an internalchamber configured for receiving a flow of ears of corn; and a systemdisposed within the internal chamber, including: threshing apparatusconfigured and operable receiving the flow of ears of corn and threshingthe kernels of the corn from the cobs of the ears, discharging a flow ofthe kernels downwardly within the chamber separately of the cobs, anddischarging a flow of the cobs along a path within the chamber, whereinat least some of the discharged cobs have husks attached thereto;cleaning apparatus disposed below the threshing apparatus in positionfor receiving the flow of the kernels and including at least onegenerally horizontal platform configured and operable for cleaning cropresidue from the kernels; and de-husking apparatus disposed forreceiving at least the flow of the cobs having the husks attachedthereto, comprising a side-by side array of husking rolls, each of thehusking rolls bounding a husking gap smaller than the cobs connectingwith a region below the array, the husking rolls being supported forrotation about an axis therethrough and connected to drive apparatusconfigured for drivingly rotating the husking rolls about the axes,respectively, the husking rolls including husking elements thereonconfigured such that when the husking rolls are rotated by the driveapparatus, the elements will grasp and detach the husks from the cobsand drive the detached husks through the husking gaps into the regionbelow the array, the husking rolls configured such that the rotationthereof will move the cobs along the de-husking apparatus toward one endthereof, and wherein the husking rolls each have a shaft positionedtherethrough which supports each roll for rotation about the axis, theshaft connected to at least a portion of the drive apparatus, andwherein each husking roll terminates at an end thereof along itsrespective shaft and a distance from the drive apparatus such that largegaps are formed between ends of the rolls, drive shafts, and the driveapparatus so that the cobs conveyed along the husking rolls fall throughthe large gaps.
 10. The combine of claim 9, wherein a portion of theplatform of the cleaning apparatus is disposed in the region below thearray in position for receiving the detached husks.
 11. The combine ofclaim 9, wherein each husking roll extends substantially parallel to alongitudinal axis of the combine.
 12. The combine of claim 9, whereineach husking roll is disposed at least partially below a concave and arotary beater and extends a substantial distance therefrom.
 13. Thecombine of claim 9, wherein a portion of the platform of the cleaningapparatus is disposed below the one end of the de-husking apparatus andconfigured for carrying the cobs to a collection apparatus.
 14. Thecombine of claim 13, wherein the portion of the platform is configuredto include a sieve section having openings therethrough sufficientlysmall to prevent passage of the cobs therethrough but sufficiently largefor passage of elements of corn residue smaller than the cobstherethrough, and the sieve section being configured and operable tomove in a manner for carrying the cobs thereon to the collectionapparatus.
 15. The combine of claim 14, wherein the collection apparatuscomprises a conveyor.
 16. The combine of claim 9, wherein the threshingapparatus includes at least one grate disposed above the de-huskingapparatus and having openings therethrough sufficiently large forpassage of the cobs therethrough.
 17. The combine of claim 9, whereinthe threshing apparatus is configured and operable for discharging theflow of the cobs mixed with other corn residue directly onto thede-husking apparatus.
 18. The combine of claim 17, wherein the threshingapparatus includes a powered device configured and operable forpositively directing the flow of the cobs and the other corn residueonto the de-husking apparatus.
 19. An agricultural combine forharvesting corn kernels from cobs, de-husking the cobs, and separatingthe de-husked cobs and the corn, comprising: a housing having aninternal chamber configured for receiving a flow of ears of corn; and asystem disposed within the internal chamber, including: threshingapparatus configured and operable receiving the flow of ears of corn andthreshing the kernels of the corn from the cobs of the ears, discharginga flow of the kernels downwardly within the chamber separately of thecobs, and discharging a flow of the cobs onto a downwardly extendingramp within the chamber, wherein at least some of the discharged cobshave husks attached thereto; cleaning apparatus including a platformstructure having a portion disposed beneath the threshing apparatus forreceiving the flow of the kernels and configured and operable forcleaning crop residue from the kernels; and de-husking apparatusdisposed adjacent to a discharge end of the ramp of the threshingapparatus for receiving the flow of the cobs, comprising a side-by sidearray of husking rolls, each of the husking rolls bounding a husking gapsmaller than the cobs connecting with a region below the array, thehusking rolls being supported for rotation about an axis therethroughand connected to drive apparatus configured for drivingly rotating thehusking rolls about the axes, respectively, the husking rolls includinghusking elements thereon configured such that when the husking rolls arerotated by the drive apparatus, the elements will grasp and detach thehusks from the cobs and drive the detached husks through the huskinggaps into the region below the array, the husking rolls configured suchthat the rotation thereof will move the cobs along the de-huskingapparatus toward one end thereof, and wherein the husking rolls eachhave a shaft positioned therethrough which supports each roll forrotation about the axis, the shaft connected to at least a portion ofthe drive apparatus, and wherein each husking roll terminates at an endthereof along its respective shaft and a distance from the portion ofthe drive apparatus such that large gaps are formed between ends of therolls, shafts, and the drive apparatus so that the cobs conveyed alongthe husking rolls fall through the large gaps.
 20. The combine of claim19, wherein the downwardly extending ramp comprises a grate.
 21. Thecombine of claim 19, wherein at least a portion of the de-huskingapparatus is disposed beneath the threshing apparatus for receiving aportion of the kernels therefrom, and is configured for transferring thekernels to the cleaning apparatus.